Jay -- most excellent post! Kris, Dave and others -- I am skeptical about the role pots play in the establishment of democracy. It is my understanding that the US Constitution predates both Peale and Barnum. It is my understanding that Babylon, Sumer, Ur, etc. were authoriarian states, and probably not models we wish to follow. (Hussein had his name carved next to Nebuchadnezzar's at the hanging gardens. Historical artifacts may be used; they may also be misused.) It is my understanding that the Arab peoples who now inhabit the Middle East do not see the ancient peoples as their ancestors, genetic or cultural, and that they are not entirely mistaken in this belief. To All -- it's all about context. If the only news coming out of Iraq last week was that priceless antiquities had been stolen and/or destroyed, then I would be right in line, writing treatsies as eloquent (in my own way) as Dave's or Kristen's on the value, the worth, yes even the importance of objects. But that was not the only news last week. There were the casualties, civilian and military. There were the injured lying in hospitals, and the hospitals being looted. There were the prisons and the torture chambers being opened -- just in time for some, too late for others. There was the lack of food, water, electricity. There were the murderous thugs who ran the regime disappearing, and then slowly, one by one, being captured as they tried to flee. The loss of the priceless antiquities is a terrible blow, not only to the Iraqi people but to all of humanity. But a tragedy? No. Not in this context. Until these other, real tragedies are remedied, until this poor battered country is made whole, I will not shed one single tear for a broken pot. Mine are all reserved for the broken people. Thank you. We now return you to your regularly scheduled list-serve. -- Eugene Dillenburg ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).